Q: For which grades is the Collins Writing Program appropriate?
Collins Writing is designed for students in grades K-12 and gets kids writing in all forms, from hand-drawn pictures to college essays.

Q: Is it advisable to implement the program in grades K−12 all at once?
We have seen a variety of effective implementation designs. Some have successfully involved all grades from the start and others have started at the high school, elementary, or middle school level and then expanded. Changing a school’s writing culture requires a thoughtful, ongoing plan for supporting teachers. Collins Education Associates is first and foremost a professional development organization. We will work with you to design a plan that fits your school’s needs.

Q: Is Collins Writing a standalone program, or can it be used in conjunction with other writing approaches and writing resources?
Collins Writing can be used on its own or with other programs and provides a consistent approach for use throughout the school or district. Schools that have writing initiatives in place frequently add Collins Writing to bring cohesion to their school-wide efforts. Typically, these schools look to Collins Writing to bring more focus to writing instruction and to increase the amount of meaningful writing done in non−language arts classrooms.

Q: Is Collins Writing just for writing teachers?
No! Collins Writing is a true cross-curricular approach to writing. Teachers of all subject areas learn to use writing to improve content learning, engagement, and accountability and practice strategies that provide more focused and meaningful writing assignments and streamline the teacher feedback process.

Q: How do content area teachers find the time for writing? And why is it necessary?
Our goal is to help teachers embed writing into their daily routine, building on existing curriculum and classroom management techniques. For example, Type One and Two writing can be accomplished in as little as three to five minutes–perfect for Do-Nows and Exit Tickets!

Q: What is the cost of implementing the Collins Writing Program?
While CEA publishes a number of resources that help teachers use the program effectively, we are primarily a professional development organization. That means that starting costs will vary according to the scope of the implementation and the professional development plan. A Collins Associate will help you design a plan that fits your needs and budget. Contact us to learn more about pricing information about the Collins Writing Program.

Q: Does the Collins Writing Program work with English Learners and other students with special needs?
Absolutely! The goal-based nature of Collins Writing assignments makes it a perfect fit for students with any variety of unique needs and allows for on-the-fly differentiation when needed. 

Q: How can I find out if Collins Writing is a good fit for my school?
We are proud of the wide range of schools that have succeeded with our program, including public and charter schools, private and religious schools, urban, rural, and suburban schools, and career and technical schools. See our Case Studies from just a few of our success stories or Contact Us to learn more.

Q: How do I get started with Collins Writing?
For strategies you can use in your classroom tomorrow, visit our Get Started page. To bring the Collins Writing Program to your building, contact us today!